To qualify for occupational maternity pay you need 1 year's continuous service by the 15th week before your due date, and must agree to a Return of Service of 1 week for every week of occupational pay. If you don't complete it, the pay above SMP is repayable pro rata.
Service personnel get 26 weeks of full pay (Statutory Maternity Pay topped up to full pay), then 13 weeks of SMP, then 13 weeks unpaid.
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is available to most employees as long as they earn on average at least £129 per week. It is paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 per week, or 90% of your earnings if that is lower, for 33 weeks. Check if you qualify on GOV.UK.
From Monday 6 April 2026, Statutory Maternity Pay increases from £187.18 to £194.32 per week.
This calculator is guidance only, based on information made publicly available by the UK government and the Armed Forces scheme. Check your contract or ask HR to confirm what you'll get. For more on maternity pay visit GOV.UK.